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Author Topic:   Brass vs. Bronze?

specktrout posted 07-15-2002 07:27 PM ET (US)
I was looking at latches at the local boater's world (I'm considering ways to latch down the bow locker on my montauk) and found two almost identical latches that would work for my purpose. One was chrome plated bronze and the other chrome plated brass. Is one superior to the other? Is there any significant difference in corrosion resistance? Thanks for any info-
sklein posted 07-15-2002 09:48 PM ET (US)
I tried to email you some info, but your email address rejects it.
newboater posted 07-16-2002 12:30 PM ET (US)
Brass is copper and around 35% zinc (depending on the alloy, more or less zinc).
Bronze is mostly copper and (0-5%)silicon, (0-5%) lead, (0-5%) aluminum or some even has (0-5%) zinc.
Brass is not something you want to use where galvanic corrosion is present, like in a cooling system, submerged in salt water or below the waterline. What happens with brass is the zinc acts as a sacrificial anode (like on the outboard) and corrodes away, and you end up with porous copper. Porous copper isn't very strong or leak proof.
Bronze is much more corrosion resistant which is why good through hull fittings and valves are made from it.
For hinges on your bow locker, it probably doesn't make any difference. I suspect the bronze ones are a little more expensive and probably would last a little longer under severe service.
Dave S.
San Diego
flwhaler posted 07-17-2002 05:17 PM ET (US)
Neither! I would go with a soft rubber latch made by southco. It is a lot easier on knees shins and fishing line and casting nets.
michael

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Author	Topic: Brass vs. Bronze?
specktrout	posted 07-15-2002 07:27 PM ET (US) I was looking at latches at the local boater's world (I'm considering ways to latch down the bow locker on my montauk) and found two almost identical latches that would work for my purpose. One was chrome plated bronze and the other chrome plated brass. Is one superior to the other? Is there any significant difference in corrosion resistance? Thanks for any info-
sklein	posted 07-15-2002 09:48 PM ET (US) I tried to email you some info, but your email address rejects it.
newboater	posted 07-16-2002 12:30 PM ET (US) Brass is copper and around 35% zinc (depending on the alloy, more or less zinc). Bronze is mostly copper and (0-5%)silicon, (0-5%) lead, (0-5%) aluminum or some even has (0-5%) zinc. Brass is not something you want to use where galvanic corrosion is present, like in a cooling system, submerged in salt water or below the waterline. What happens with brass is the zinc acts as a sacrificial anode (like on the outboard) and corrodes away, and you end up with porous copper. Porous copper isn't very strong or leak proof. Bronze is much more corrosion resistant which is why good through hull fittings and valves are made from it. For hinges on your bow locker, it probably doesn't make any difference. I suspect the bronze ones are a little more expensive and probably would last a little longer under severe service. Dave S. San Diego
flwhaler	posted 07-17-2002 05:17 PM ET (US) Neither! I would go with a soft rubber latch made by southco. It is a lot easier on knees shins and fishing line and casting nets. michael